What's happening
This bill allows New Yorkers to submit absentee ballot applications electronically, including by email, fax, and an online system.
Why it matters
Makes absentee voting more accessible. by letting voters apply without needing to physically mail or deliver forms, which could especially benefit people with mobility, time, or transportation barriers.
Modernizes election processes. by requiring boards of elections to set up and advertise email addresses, fax numbers, and an online system, potentially increasing efficiency and responsiveness in processing applications.
Streamlines the application process. by treating electronically submitted absentee applications as “originals,” meaning voters don’t have to send a paper copy afterward—reducing paperwork and speeding up the process.
Improves access for military and overseas voters. by allowing their ballot applications to be submitted electronically and accepted as originals, which may help ballots be delivered and returned on time.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Online Absentee Ballot Applications
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Online Absentee Applications
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Thomas Abinanti
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4651
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 19, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing electronic absentee ballot applications
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section 8-400 of the election law, as amended by chapter 321 of the laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
(c) All applications requesting that a ballot be delivered to the voter or an agent by mail must be mailed to the board of elections not later than the seventh day before the election for which a ballot is first requested or, for applications requesting in-person delivery of the ballot to the voter or an agent at the board of elections, must be delivered to such board not later than the day before such election. In addition to postal or personal delivery of the application to the board of elections, the board of elections shall accept delivery of absentee ballot applications: (i) by telephone facsimile transmission to a phone number which shall be designated by the board of elections; (ii) as an attachment to an electronic mail transmission sent to an electronic mail address which shall be designated by the board of elections; and (iii) through an online electronic absentee ballot application filing system which shall be established by the state board of elections and which shall transmit each application to the appropriate board of elections for processing. The website for each board of elections shall advertise the email address and telephone facsimile number required by this section and shall provide a link to the online electronic filing system established pursuant to this section. An application delivered to the board of elections by electronic means shall be an original application without necessity for a subsequent conforming paper submission and shall be deemed filed when received by the board of elections, except if
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04359-01-9
S. 4651 2
received by electronic means after business hours or extended hours as designated by this chapter, such application shall be deemed received as of the next day on which the board is open to receive absentee ballot applications. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the application of the electronic signature provisions of the state technology law with respect to applications for an absentee ballot.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 10-107 of the election law, as added by chapter 104 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
2. Irrespective of the preferred method of transmission designated by a military voter, a military voter's original completed voter registration application[, military ballot application] and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person notwithstanding that a prior copy was sent to the board of elections by facsimile transmission or electronic mail. A completed military ballot application submitted by facsimile transmission or electronic mail or through an electronic filing system established by the state board of elections shall be an original application and no conforming paper submission shall be required.
§ 3. Subdivision 2 of section 11-203 of the election law, as added by chapter 104 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
2. Irrespective of the preferred method of transmission designated by a special federal voter, a special federal voter's original completed voter registration application[, special federal ballot application] and special federal ballot must be returned by mail or in person notwithstanding that a prior copy was sent to the board of elections by facsimile transmission or electronic mail. A completed special federal ballot application submitted by facsimile transmission or electronic mail or through an electronic filing system established by the state board of elections shall be an original application and no conforming paper submission shall be required.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing electronic absentee ballot applications
Purpose or general idea of bill
To increase voter participation in the election process by allowing voters to use electronic means to obtain absentee ballot applications.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 2 of § 8-400 of the election law, to provide that the Board of Elections shall accept an absentee ballot application by fax, as an email attachment, or via an online electronic absentee ballot application filing system, established pursu- ant to this section.
Section 2 of this bill amends subdivision 2 of '§ 10-107 of the election law to authorize the use of facsimile, email, or electronic filing system for absentee ballot applications for military ballots.
Section 3 of this bill amends subdivision 2 of § 11-203 of the election law to authorize the use of facsimile, email, or electronic filing system for absentee ballot applications for special federal ballot applicants.
Section 4 is the effective date (January 1st next succeeding enactment).
Justification
Many New Yorkers are disenfranchised because of the immense absentee ballot applications backlog facing the Board of Elections. Currently, there is no electronic means by which a voter can request an absentee ballot application. Providing such a system will help alleviate the backlog and provide easier-access to applications for New Yorkers.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: A.401A passed Assembly; 2015-2016: A.294 referred to election law, same as S.6534 (Avella); 2013-14: A.1463 referred to election law; 2011-12: A.8578 referred to election law; 2010-11: A.1227 referred to election law; 2009-10: A.7012 referred to election law
Fiscal implications
Minimal to create electronic transmittal system. Cost savings to be realized from not paying postage to mail applications.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1st next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.